Firenze, Italy

Price Upon Request

Single family home

Details

15

Bedrooms

11

Bathrooms (11 full)

17243

sq ft

Description

Castle for sale in Tuscany, Florence. Only 12 minutes’ drive from the historic centre of Florence, in a panoramic and hilly position, 168 metres above the sea level, stunning castle (1,602 sqm) dating back to the Middle Age with private chapel. The castle is laid out on three floors plus a frescoed loggia and a courtyard with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The property includes 8 ha of land with park, woodland and arable land. GEOGRAPHIC POSITIONOnly 12 minutes by car from the historical centre of Florence, in a panoramic and hilly position at 168 metres above the sea level, stunning castle dating back to the Middle Age.The dominant position on the top of a hill makes anyone enjoying a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside towards Impruneta and Chianti.HISTORY OF THE PROPERTYBuilt in 946 as a military post and afterwards involved in the conflicts between Guelfi and Gibellini, the castle has over 1,000 years of history, fenced walled gardens, prestigious frescoes and a private chapel.The structure of the castle is particularly remarkable under the architectural point of view as it is a perfect balance between the styles of a military fortress and an elegant 16th Century Villa, when the Castle was owned by the Ciaini family. It was right in that period that the stucco villa faccedil;ades were added to the tower and the existing building.The Ciaini family was one of the most famous families of Florence, known for their great interest for arts and architecture. Around 1550 they appointed Domenico di Braccio drsquo;Agnolo, one of the most renowned architects of the time, to redesign and convert the building into a luxury villa.In 1572 the property was purchased by Niccolini drsquo;Agnolo family, that realized the beautiful frescoes in all the rooms on the ground floor.There are also many important family crests in the castle, like those of the Niccolini drsquo;Agnolo and the Salviati family. The villa will also embellished with many Grottesche, frescoes still at the Uffizi, and decorated with frames and reliefs.DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGSThe property has a total net area of 1,602 sqm The castle is laid out on three floors plus a frescoed loggia and a courtyard with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.- The lower ground floor has a surface of 219 square metres.- The ground floor (585 sqm) has been restored in the last years. The frescoes are intact and not in need of any restoration.The first floor, instead, is divided into three units, which can be united if required and is in need of some restoration.The tower has a surface of 83 square metres, the housekeeperrsquo;s house has a surface of 80 sqm.Within the grounds of the castle there is a chapel (120 sqm) still consecrated and used for weddings and private celebrations. It still keeps, thanks to the conservative restoration, the simple aspect of medieval buildings. Inside the chapel there is a fresco by the Giotto school, while above the entrance door there is a terracotta bass-relief by the school of Luca della Robbia representing Santa Lucia.EXTERNAL AREAThe castle is set in a dominant position on a hill with 8 hectares of land with trees, many of which are old-centuries trees.STATE AND FINISHESThe whole property, both the castle and the garden within the original walls, is listed. This means that the potential buyer will benefit of tax reductions both to buy and to maintain the property.Nowadays, thanks to the great care of the owners, it is one of the most elegant and prestigious homes of Florence.Privacy is warranted by a thick park of cypress trees and live oaks.USE AND POTENTIAL USESIn the castle, which has five large and elegant halls, weddings, exhibitions, parties and business dinners can be arranged.